Originally Posted by LemonThrower
Another reason I like SW is because at HH the points are far less valuable unless you redeem for a 6 night award. At SW, you can justify redeeming for 1 night, and the multi-night stay is an even better deal at 4-5 nights I believe.
And SPG gives you a break on their midscale properties on the weekends. That's where we do a lot of redemption - quick 2-night trips where we just need a 2.5* or 3* hotel. HHonors has almost nothing in their lowest category, whereas Starwood has lots of good options in Cat 1 and 2. Decent Sheratons - even the occasional Westin. I'd have to burn 40k-50k HH to get a 2-nighter in a basic Hilton or Doubletree; I can usually get a Sheraton for 4k-6k SPG. Much better value.